First Phase of the Indian National Movement

Drain Theory

Reason — Dadabhai Naoroji explained in his book Poverty and Un-British Rule in India that India’s wealth was being continuously drained to England through various channels. This explanation came to be known as the Drain Theory.

Constitutional within the framework of law.

Reason — The Early Nationalists believed in moderate politics. They asked for constitutional reforms within the framework of British rule and followed lawful, peaceful and gradual methods instead of aggressive or violent methods.

Petition, Prayers and Protests

Reason — The Early Nationalists tried to influence the British Government through the method of the three P’s — Petitions, Prayers and Protests. Through these methods, they sought redress of Indian grievances by constitutional means.

Formulation of popular demands to be presented before the government.

Reason — One of the immediate aims of the Early Nationalists was to formulate popular demands and present them before the Government. They did not demand the immediate overthrow of British rule or support violent struggle.

A larger share of Indians in the governance of the country

Reason — The Early Nationalists demanded a larger share of Indians in the governance of the country. They wanted the number of Indians in the Councils to be increased so that people’s needs could be better represented.

Increase in the powers of local bodies

Reason — Among their administrative demands, the Early Nationalists asked for an increase in the powers of local bodies. They also wanted reduction of official control over them and more administrative powers to local boards.

Simultaneous ICS exams in India and England

Reason — One important achievement of the Early Nationalists was the resolution of the House of Commons in 1893 for holding the I.C.S. examination simultaneously in India and England. This was secured through their constant efforts.

Reduction in toll tax.

Reason — As a member of the Imperial Legislative Council, Gopal Krishna Gokhale pleaded for reduction in Salt Duty and abolition of excise duty on cotton goods, and his relentless efforts led to reduction in toll tax.

(i) and (ii)

Reason — In the beginning, the Early Nationalists believed that British rule had certain benefits and that the main obstacle in India’s progress was India’s own social and economic backwardness. They had not yet fully realised that British rule itself was the chief cause of India’s poverty; therefore only statements (i) and (ii) are correct.

Servants of India Society

Reason — Gopal Krishna Gokhale founded the Servants of India Society in 1905. Its main aim was to train national leaders who would dedicate themselves to the service of India.

(I) is the reason for (II)

Explanation — Statement (I) tells us that the Early Nationalists believed in moderate politics — meaning they did not believe in aggressive or radical methods against the British. Statement (II) is the direct result of this moderate approach — because they believed in moderate politics, they only asked for constitutional reforms and changes within the framework of British rule, rather than demanding complete independence. Hence, Statement (I) is the reason for Statement (II).

(I) is true but (II) is false

Explanation — Statement (I) is true — the Early Nationalists did create national awakening among people by making them realise they all belonged to one common country, India.
Statement (II) is false — the Early Nationalists worked mainly through petitions and appeals and their movement was limited to the educated class only. They did not draw the masses into the national movement.
Hence, (I) is true but (II) is false.

(I) and (II) are independent of each other

Explanation — Statement (I) is true because a few government officials attended the first session of the Indian National Congress in 1885 and took part in its deliberations. At that stage, the Congress was viewed with some sympathy by certain British officials.
Statement (II) is also true because, later on, many British officials became hostile towards the Congress and criticised its leaders, calling them “disloyal babus” and “violent villains.”
However, Statement (II) does not explain Statement (I). The first statement refers to the early attitude of some officials towards the Congress, while the second statement refers to the later hostile attitude of British officials. Hence, (I) and (II) are independent of each other.

(II) is the reason for (I)

Explanation — Statement (II) tells us that the British realised that the growing unity of Indians was becoming a major threat to their rule in India. Statement (I) tells us the result of this realisation — to weaken this unity, the British started following a policy of granting minor concessions to separatists to divide the people and quell the growth of nationalism. Hence, Statement (II) is the reason for (I).

The period of the national movement from the year 1885 to 1907 is known as the period of the 'Early Nationalists'.

Two leaders of the Congress who are known as 'Early Nationalists' are-

1. W.C. Bonnerjee
2. Dadabhai Naoroji

Two reasons for the Early Nationalists' faith in the British sense of justice were-

1. They were of the opinion that the British would help Indians govern themselves according to western standards.
2. They believed that continuation of the British connection with India was in the interest of both England and India.

The Early Nationalists believed the following regarding the British rule in India:

1. The Early Nationalists had faith in the sense of justice, fair play, honesty and integrity of the British.
2. It was their hope that the British would grant 'Home Rule' to Indians. They relied on the solemn pledges made by the British government.
3. They believed that the British rule had many benefits. For example, it aided in cleansing social ills like sati, untouchability and child marriage.
4. They were of the opinion that Britain would help Indians govern themselves according to western standards.

According to the Early Nationalists, the main obstacle in India's progress was social and economic backwardness of Indians and not the British colonial rule.

The Early Nationalists demanded Self-government or Swaraj within the British empire like the self-governing colonies of Canada and Australia.

Two issues opposed by the Early Nationalists in the field of civil liberties were-

1. Removal of the restrictions imposed by the British Government on the freedom of speech, and the freedom of the press.
2. Abolition of the Preventive Detention Act and restoration of individual liberties.

Two demands of the Early Nationalists that aimed at improving the lot of the peasants were-

1. Reduction in land revenue and protection of peasants against unjust demands of the zamindars.
2. Reduction in expenditure on the army and the money thus saved to be spent on welfare activities such as health and education.

Two constitutional demands made by the Early Nationalists were-

1. Abolition of India Council.
2. Expansion of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assemblies — both at the Centre and in the Provinces.

Two economic issues raised by the Early Nationalists were-

1. Reduction in land revenue and protection of peasants against unjust demands of the zamindars.
2. Reduction in expenditure on the army and the money thus saved to be spent on welfare activities such as health and education.

The Early Nationalists demanded industrial growth through trade protection. That means that a heavy tax should be imposed on imported goods and the government should give loans for the development of iron, coal, paper and sugar industries in India.

Two achievements of the Early Nationalists were-

1. The Early Nationalists trained people in politics by popularising the ideas of democracy, civil liberties, secularism and nationalism.
2. The Early Nationalists did pioneering work by exposing the true nature of the British rule in India. They made people realise the economic content and character of British imperialism. By doing so, they weakened the foundations of the British rule in India.

Dadabhai Naoroji is known as India's unofficial ambassador because during his stay in England, he fought for the cause of his country.

(i) Dadabhai Naoroji is the author of 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India'.

(ii) Nation in Making was written by Surendranath Banerjee.

Surendranath Banerjee started an agitation against the Licence Act and the Vernacular Press Act.

Two causes that Gopal Krishna Gokhale supported were-

1. Reduction in salt duty and the abolition of excise duty on cotton goods.
2. Reduction in land revenue.

(a) The members of the early nationalists were drawn from the educated middle class consisting of professionals like lawyers, barristers, teachers and officials, who drew inspiration from Western thought. Many of them were educated in England and felt that the British intended to be just to Indians but they were unaware of the true state of affairs in India.

The demands of the Early Nationalists were as follows:

1. A larger share of Indians in the governance of the country
2. Reduction in taxes and government expenditure
3. Economic growth through trade protection
4. Indianisation of services
5. Complete separation of the executive and the judiciary
6. Employment of Indians in higher grades
7. Protection of civil rights

(b) The methods adopted by Early Nationalists were as follows:

1. The Early Nationalists believed in the policy of constitutional agitation within the legal framework, and slow orderly political progress.
2. To educate people in India in modern politics, to arouse national political consciousness and to create a united public opinion, they relied on the following methods:
   1. They held meetings where speeches were made and resolutions for popular demands were passed.
   2. They made use of the press to criticise government policies.
   3. They sent memorandums and petitions to government officials and the British Parliament. These petitions were carefully drafted with facts and arguments. Though these petitions were addressed to the government, their real aim was to educate the Indian people.
3. To influence the British government and the British public, they followed the following methods:
   1. They made use of three P's i.e. Petitions, Prayers and Protests. They sent petitions, requests and letters of protest to the British government to look into the problems of the Indians.
   2. A British Committee of the Indian National Congress was set up in London in 1889, which published a weekly journal, India, to present India's case before the British public.
   3. Deputations of Indian leaders were sent to Britain. These political leaders carried on active propaganda in Britain.

(c) The Early Nationalists helped in the growth of nationalism in India in the following ways-

1. Nationalists created national awakening among people that they belonged to one common country — India. This made Indians conscious of the bonds of common political, economic and cultural interests that united them.
2. They trained people in politics by popularising the ideas of democracy, civil liberties, secularism and nationalism.
3. They did pioneering work by exposing the true nature of the British rule in India. They made people realise the economic content and character of British imperialism. By doing so, they weakened the foundations of the British rule in India.
4. Their political and economic programmes established the truth that India must be ruled in the interest of the Indians.
5. The efforts of the Early Nationalists led to the following reforms:
   1. The appointment of a Public Service Commission in 1886
   2. A resolution of the House of Commons (1893) for simultaneous examination for the I.C.S. in London and India
   3. Appointment of the Welby Commission on Indian Expenditure (1895)
   4. The Indian Councils Act of 1892.

These achievements of the Early Nationalists served as a base for the national movement in later years.

(a) The Early Nationalists played an important role in exposing the true nature of British rule in India. They did so in the following ways-

1. Dadabhai Naoroji's views on Indian economy are given in his work entitled 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India'. His famous 'Drain Theory' explained how India's wealth was being 'drained' to England through various ways.
2. Resolutions on Self-government, Boycott, Swadeshi and National Education were passed by the Congress under Dadabhai's presidentship.
3. The Early nationalists criticised the British rule in newspapers, journals and magazines. They wrote and edited newspapers criticising the unjust policies of the British.
4. Surendranath Banerjee started agitation against the License Act, Arms Act and the Vernacular Press Act which aimed at curbing the nationalist activities of the people. Through these works, he made people aware of the colonial mindset of the British.

(b) The Early Nationalist leaders who led the Congress and the National Movement in its initial years were staunch believers in open-minded and 'moderate' politics. They believed in loyalty to the British Crown. They had the following attitude towards the British rule-

1. The Early Nationalists had faith in the sense of justice, fair play, honesty and integrity of the British.
2. It was their hope that the British would grant 'Home Rule' to Indians. They relied on the solemn pledges made by the British government.
3. They believed that the British rule had many benefits. For example, it aided in cleansing social ills like sati, untouchability and child marriage.
4. They were of the opinion that Britain would help Indians govern themselves according to western standards.
5. They said that the main obstacle in India's progress was social and economic backwardness of Indians and not the British colonial rule.
6. They relied on constitutional and peaceful methods to achieve their aims. They believed in patience and reconciliation rather than in violence and confrontation.

The Early Nationalists had such an attitude because they believed that continuation of the British connection with India was in the interest of both England and India.

(c) The reasons for the partial failure of the methods followed by the Early Nationalists were-

1. The methods used by the Early Nationalists of passing resolutions and sending petitions depended on the generosity of the British instead of relying on their own strength and challenging the imperialist might.
2. They failed to realise that British and Indian interests clashed with each other. Britain was using India's resources to increase its wealth.
3. The Early Nationalists failed to draw the masses into the mainstream of the national movement. Their area of influence was limited to the urban educated Indians. In particular, their leadership was confined to professional groups such as lawyers, doctors, journalists and teachers.

(a) Surendranath Banerjee advocated the use of constitutional methods to attain India's goals and his contribution towards the formation of the Indian National Congress is quite significant.

1. He established the Indian Association in 1876 to fight against the wrong policies of the British.
2. In order to create an all-India political organisation Surendranath convened the Indian National Conference in 1883 at Kolkata.
3. His Indian National Conference merged with the Indian National Congress in 1886 as both organisations had similar objectives. He presided over two sessions of the Congress in 1895 and 1902.

(b) India's political goal according to Surendranath Banerjee was self-government.

He advocated the use of constitutional methods for the attainment of India's goals. His famous saying was, "Opposition where necessary, co-operation when possible." He used the following methods to attain India's political goal-

1. To fight against the wrong policies of the British, he founded the Indian Association in 1876.
2. In order to create an all-India political organisation, Surendranath convened the Indian National Conference in 1883 at Kolkata. Surendranath Banerjee's Indian National Conference merged with the Indian National Congress in 1886 as both organisations had similar objectives.
3. Banerjee edited a newspaper, Bengalee, which served as a powerful medium for mobilising public opinion. His book, Nation in the Making, gives an account of his political concern and his views about self-government.

(c) Surendranath Banerjee's contribution to India's freedom struggle is quite significant. He contributed to the Indian National Movement in the following ways-

1. To fight against the wrong policies of the British, he founded the Indian Association in 1876.
2. In order to create an all-India political organisation, Surendranath convened the Indian National Conference in 1883 at Kolkata. Surendranath Banerjee's Indian National Conference merged with the Indian National Congress in 1886 as both organisations had similar objectives.
3. Banerjee edited a newspaper, Bengalee, which served as a powerful medium for mobilising public opinion. His book, Nation in the Making, gives an account of his political concern and his views about self-government.
4. Banerjee started agitation against the Licence Act, Arms Act, Vernacular Press Act and against lowering the age from 21 to 19 years to appear in the I.C.S. Examination.
5. He opposed the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 which introduced separate electorates for the Hindus and the Muslims.
6. He also opposed the division of Bengal by Lord Curzon in 1905.

(a) Dadabhai Naoroji, also known as the "Grand Old Man of India" and the "Unofficial Ambassador of India" was a remarkable Indian political leader, merchant, scholar, and writer. He presented his 'Drain Theory' in his paper Poverty and Un-British Rule in India. He was thrice elected as the President of the Congress.

According to Dadabhai Naoroji, 'security of life and property' prevails in India in a sense that the people were secure from internal or external violence. Naoroji acknowledged that there is a certain level of security within India itself. People are relatively safe from violence inflicted by each other or by native rulers (despots). However, this security does not extend to protection from England’s grasp. Naoroji argues that under British rule, there is no genuine security for property. The British colonial administration, rather than safeguarding Indian property, often exploited it. The "Drain Theory" proposed by Naoroji highlighted how Britain was siphoning off India’s wealth and resources, leading to India’s continued impoverishment.

(b) According to Dadabhai Naoroji, England was ‘perfectly safe and secure’ because England was extracting India’s wealth at an alarming rate—approximately $30,000,000 to $40,000,000 annually. This exploitation occurred both within India (where England consumes the wealth) and outside India (where England carries it away). This drain of wealth was making England stronger and pushing India to poverty and starvation.

(c) Dadabhai Naoroji propounded 'The drain theory' to describe the exploitative nature of British rule in India.

The given line captures the harsh realities faced by millions in India during the colonial period. For those struggling to survive, life was reduced to “half-feeding,” starvation, and vulnerability to famine and disease. The over exploitation of Indian peasants, farmers and merchants was the root cause of all the economic ills of India. The draining of resources—whether through taxation or export—directly impacted the livelihoods of millions.

(a) The person in the given picture is Gopal Krishna Gokhale. The three policies of the imperial regime which were opposed by this person were:

1. Incurring huge expenditure on the British army
2. Adopting the policy of racial discrimination in appointments to high posts
3. Imposing production tax on cotton.

(b) As a member of Imperial Legislative Council he played the following role:

1. He pleaded in the Council for reduction in Salt Duty and the abolition of excise duty on cotton goods.
2. His efforts led to reduction of toll taxes.
3. He tried to introduce a bill with a view to make primary education compulsory but he could not achieve much success in it.
4. He demanded radical changes in fiscal policy and better jobs for educated middle class.
5. He impressed upon the government to reduce the land revenue.

(c) Gopal Krishna Gokhale actively worked to arouse national awakening in India through several impactful efforts:

1. As a member of the Indian National Congress, Gokhale campaigned for Indian self-rule and social reforms. He sought to obtain greater political representation and power for common Indians.
2. He criticised the Government on issues such as incurring huge expenditure on the British army, adopting the policy of racial discrimination in appointments to high posts and imposing production tax on cotton.
3. During his visit to England he tried to persuade the British statesmen not to give effect to the Partition of Bengal.
4. He played a crucial role in encouraging Mahatma Gandhi to return to India and join public life.
5. Gokhale tirelessly worked to reduce burdensome taxes i.e. Salt tax, Toll tax and to reduce the land revenue.
6. Gokhale set up the Servants of India Society in 1905. The main aim of the Society was to train national leaders who would dedicate themselves to the service of India.
7. He actively addressed social issues like untouchability and caste discrimination.

I interviewed Dadabhai Naoroji. Based on the interview, here are my views on his beliefs and methods:

1. He had faith in the sense of justice, fair play, honesty and integrity of the British. He relied on the solemn pledges of the British and hoped that they would grant 'Home Rule' to Indians.
2. He believed in constitutional and peaceful methods to achieve the aim of 'Home Rule'. He believed in patience and reconciliation rather than violence and confrontation.
3. Through his works, 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India' and his famous 'Drain Theory' he explained how India's wealth was being 'drained' to England through various ways.
4. As a member of British parliament, he brought to the notice of the House, important matters related to India.
5. He was India's unofficial ambassador to the Britain. He founded London India Society and East India Association in London to further the cause of India in Britain.

The methods I would choose to present the demands of the people to the MLA would be:

1. I would send a letter containing the demands of the people along with the reason for each demand clearly explaining the problems faced by the people currently.
2. I would request the MLA to visit my area, see the problems himself and interact with a few people to get a firsthand experience of the issues.
3. After that, I would arrange for a meeting between the MLA and a select few people of the area at his/her office or residence to further persuade him/her to look into the demands.

I would choose these methods because in a democracy we resolve issues through dialogue within the constitutional framework following legitimate means.